Worldwide: Green Day to release single from forthcoming Amnesty International album
U2 confirmed to contribute exclusive track to the album
Green Day will release a cover version of John Lennon’s ‘Working Class Hero’ today. The track, which features a sample of Lennon’s original vocal, was recorded exclusively for the forthcoming Amnesty International album ‘Instant Karma: The Campaign To Save Darfur’ and will be available as a download from the iTunes music store, http://www.amnesty.org/noise/language.html and other download stores.
Green Day’s ‘Working Class Hero’ is the third track to be made available from the album. It will build on the international success of R.E.M’s cover of Lennon’s `#9 Dream' and Corinne Bailey Rae’s version of ‘I’m Losing You’ which were released in March and April respectively.
Bille Joe Armstrong of Green Day said:
“We wanted to do ‘Working Class Hero’ because its themes of alienation, class, and social status really resonated with us,” says Green Day singer-guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong. “It’s such a raw, aggressive song - just that line: ‘you’re still fucking peasants as far as I can see’ — we felt we could really sink our teeth into it. I hope we’ve done him justice.”
Meanwhile, U2 have been confirmed as a last minute addition to the Instant Karma project. The band have recorded a stunning version of ‘Instant Karma’ for the album which will feature more than 20 iconic John Lennon songs recorded by an array of best selling international artists, including Black Eyed Peas, Christina Aguilera, Jack Johnson, Snow Patrol and Aerosmith. ‘Instant Karma: The Campaign To Save Darfur’ will be released in the UK on 25th June on Warner Bros. Records. A full track list will be available shortly.
The album aims to raise money for Amnesty International and awareness of the organisation’s global campaigning, with a particular focus on the current crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan.
Yoko Ono, who has generously donated all music publishing royalties, said:
“It’s wonderful that, through this campaign, music which is so familiar to many people of my era will now be embraced by a whole new generation. John’s music set out to inspire change, and in standing up for human rights, we really can make the world a better place.”
Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International, said:
“We're thrilled to be using John Lennon's songs in our human rights work. We hope this music will bring an awareness of human rights to a new generation. After all, human rights are what make music possible - we wouldn't be able to create music, listen to it or dance to it without freedom of speech, expression, and association.”
In the UK, the project comes hot on the heels of last October’s hugely successful revival of The Secret Policeman’s Ball, for which comedians helped raise awareness of Amnesty International’s work. In working with the arts and entertainment industry in this way the organisation aims to encourage a million people in the UK to stand up for human rights and humanity over the next five years.